· Maricopa High School Teacher Joby Thompson has been selected to attend the “Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders” program at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, July 23-28, 2017. This is a week-long executive education program for design professionals in partnership with Yale University’s School of Management. Maricopa High School is a member of the Central Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology, (CAVIT) which is paying all of the expenses for this training.

· The Maricopa Unified School District is well known for excellent financial management. For nine consecutive years, the district has received a "Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting" from the National Association of School Business Officials and the Government Finance Officers Association. This recognition is given each year because the district’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report met the highest standards of both national associations. This is the highest form of recognition in the area of school district accounting and financial reporting given by these two organizations. At the Governing Board meeting on 7/12/17, Director of Business Services Aron Rausch was congratulated and presented with both certificates.

· At the Governing Board meeting on 6/28/17, Superintendent Steve Chestnut announced that all 50 override positions had been filled. These positions include: a) 24 elementary teachers for class size reduction; b) one elementary Teacher on Special Assignment; c) 3 elementary counselors; d) one elementary/middle school librarian; e) 4 middle school teachers for class size reduction and 2 teachers for expanded academic programs; f) 4 high school teachers for class size reduction and 2 teachers for expanded academic programs; g) 7 certified staff for Ram Academy, which will assist credit deficient students to graduate but is still considered part of MHS; h) two instructional technology integration teachers. In addition the $500,000 designated annually for instructional technology for students has been ordered and will arrive soon. This order includes 595 student laptops.

· The week of June 19-24, 2017, five MHS drama students attended the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The four students who entered the competition earned at least one excellent rating from a judge and recent graduate Carlos O. Venegas earned a superior rating.

· On 6/3/17, cast members from the MHS spring musical BeautyandtheBeast attended the Gammage High School Theatre Awards at Arizona State University. BeautyandtheBeast was evaluated by judges during performances in April, and several student actors were nominated in categories including Best Lead, Best Supporting Actor, Outstanding Dancer, and Outstanding Vocalist.

· Students in the Computer Maintenance classes at Maricopa High School achieved some significant milestones in 2016-17. Students created a student-led business named “24 Pin Technologies” which includes a website. They expanded the business district-wide and processed over 60 work orders this past school year. The work orders included refurbishing over 300 computers. At the Arizona Skills USA State Championships in April MHS students took five of six medals, two of which were state championships. Carter Petty won the gold medal in Internetworking and Reece Thompson won the gold medal in Info Tech Services. Carter and Reece will be represent Arizona and Maricopa High School later this summer at the Skills USA national championships in Kentucky.

· Another accomplishment this year was that thirteen students in passed 16 Cisco Academy professional certification exams.

· On 5/8/17, Maricopa High School held its annual "Evening of Honors" to recognize the academic accomplishments of the Class of 2017. There were 381 graduates in the class – an all time high. Principal Renita Myers recognized the 174 seniors who were on the honor roll with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. A standing ovation was given to the 18 seniors who are entering military service and receiving scholarships. Nine seniors are joining the United States Army, five are joining the United States Marine Corps, and three are joining the United States Navy. Co-Valedictorian John Blodgett was recognized for his decision to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. Blodgett also received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Seniors were recognized for being offered a total of 217 scholarships with a total value of $6,740,454, representing a new record for scholarships offered to an MHS graduating class. These scholarships included 104 from Central Arizona College (59 for the Top 10% of Class Scholarship and 45 for the Promise for the Future Scholarship); 29 from Arizona State University; 27 from Grand Canyon University; 12 from the University of Arizona; and one from Eastern Arizona State College. Congratulations to the MHS Class of 2017!

· In the spring of 2017 the MUSD Governing Board approved a new Maricopa High School Student Travel Club. Prior to being recognized as a school club, Maricopa Student Travel was directed by MHS biology teacher Cortney Kellenaers as an organization outside of the high school. In the last few years Maricopa Student Travel has taken trips to Spain, Switzerland, Italy, France and Costa Rica. An average trip costs $3,500 - $5,000 and the cost of travel is the responsibility of the student. The Maricopa High School Student Travel Club is currently planning a 2018 trip to Paris, Normandy and London.

· The MHS Band and Orchestra performed in the ABODA Area Concert Festival at Scottsdale's Desert Mountain High School on 3/1/17. Both groups earned the second-highest rating of "Excellent" and will advance to the ABODA State Concert Festival in April. This is the second consecutive year both band and orchestra will be represented at the State Concert Festival. For the band, this is the first time they have qualified for the ABODA State Marching and State Concert festivals in the same year.

· The Maricopa Unified School District has earned IPM STAR certification after undergoing a thorough, 37 point evaluation of its integrated pest management (IPM) program. IPM STAR Certification is presented by the IPM Institute of North America in partnership with the US Environmental Protection Agency Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program. The only other school district to receive this award in 2017 was Milwaukee Public Schools, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

· MHS senior tuba player Chance Ackerson was named to the 2017 Arizona Band and Orchestra Director's Association (ABODA) All-State Honor Band. Chance is the first MHS band student to be selected for the All-State Band.

· On 2/26/17, thirty MHS DECA students attended the annual Arizona DECA State Career Development Conference. Students faced competed with more than 80 high school teams and over 2,000 students. MHS DECA earned five test medals (top 10% of test takers), five top role play medals, and had eight finalists. Three MHS DECA students placed first in their competitions and these three students will compete in the DECA International Career Development Conference, April 25-30, in Anaheim, California. Additional honorees included advisor Bernadette Russoniello, who was named the Outstanding Advisor of the Year by Arizona DECA and the Arizona Marketing Education Association. The MHS DECA Club received the Century Club Award, presented to chapters with membership of over 100 students. MHS DECA Club member Juan Carrillo was also honored for his service as an Arizona DECA State Officer for 2016-17.

· On 2/21/17, students from Maricopa High School’s Spanish and German classes participated in Arizona State University’s Foreign Language Fair. A total of 34 students competed at the fair. Students Chandler Chang, Cymberly Gifford, and Tylinn Noble placed first in Spanish Impromptu Role Play and Porter Jones placed first in German Novice Recitation.

· Eight teams from Maricopa Wells Middle School and eight teams from Desert Winds Middle School traveled to ASU on 1/28/17 to compete in the Arizona Regional Future City competition. Students from the two middle schools took home 16 awards from the competition out of a total of 34 possible awards. MWMS students earned a total of 12 awards. Team Sura finished 2nd place in the state of Arizona. DWMS students earned a total of 4 awards.

· Maricopa High School sent 78 students from the DECA Club to DECA regional competition on 1/17/17. This was the largest group ever sent from the club to this competition. This year MHS DECA students entered into the large high school division and faced tough competition, including teams from Tempe, Mesa and Chandler school districts. MHS DECA students performed well, including: five first place, awards, 7 “best in section” role play medals, 4 test medals (top 10% of test takers), and 34 overall competitive medals.

· Maricopa High School senior, Class of 2017 co-valedictorian, and Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Major John Blodgett was offered appointments to both the United States Air Force Academy and West Point United States Military Academy. Blodgett recently decided to accept the appointment from West Point. This is Blodgett’s fourth year in the MHS ROTC program where he serves as the Commander of the Mission Support Squadron. John was recognized by the MUSD Governing Board for these accomplishments at their meeting on 3/9/17.